Apple IPOD bites! Save $$$ and NEVER BUY ONE!!!

[jasanderson]

I am so angry - I have a 4G ipod, 2nd generation nano that i got in april 2005. I have used it maybe a total of 300 hours at most in 1-1/2 years and it has crashed and burned.

I already had one issue last spring where it started skipping and when i went to the genius bar they said the software was corrupted. Easy fix - but apparently since I have XP instead of an Apple computer this is part of the problem. They told me that if you don't eject properly from the computer and just unplug it can happen.

Fast forward 6-8 months and now it is messing up again! This time it was charging and my 3 year old hit the cord and unplugged it from the computer. This shouldn't be a big deal.....ha! Next thing I know the backlight lights up but there is no data on the screen. I tried the 5 R's many times over and it wouldn't reset. I was having hard time shutting off etc. Finally today I took it back in, drove 1/2 hour to the stupid apple store and they told me that it must be something in the electrical but since they can't open them up there it's hard to say. They were SOOOOOOOOO not helpful. The guy told me out of warranty - sorry. We can give you a replacement of the exact same refurbished model for $120! I paid $250 for this and they want another $120 for something that in my opinion should have never happened. They told me they could give me a 10% discount off a new one. HA! I can get a better discount than that through my employer.
I told the guy he was crazy and I could buy a brand new Microsoft Zune with 4X the memory for half the price of what they want.

Maybe I am ranting but seriously - this was a gift from my mom and I am so upset with Apple. There must be a reason they keep redesigning them and I am beginning to think it's because their designs are not up to snuff. Why redesign things so quickly if they work great???????? It has now become my mission to talk everyone I know against purchasing Apple products. Overrated, Overpriced Poor quality products made in China! (side thought: Hmm - maybe I should have it tested for lead. ) I know now I would NEVER purchase an Apple computer based on my experience with a $300 ipod. I want someone who stands behind their products.

Has anyone experience similar challenges with Apple?
Anyone have an MP3 player they absolutely love and have never had problems with?

[project15]

Not ejecting any USB storage device can potentially damage the data, so that would happen with any mp3 player that transferred songs via USB.

But yes, I've always been against iPods since they're overpriced and trendy.

[disneysteve]

I think iPods are overpriced at retail, but we've very happy with the 2 we own that we bought as refurbs for a significant discount.

As for Apple computers, there is simply no comparing them to PCs. They are fast, more intuitive in their operating system, not subject to all the viruses, spyware and adware that plagues PCs and are just more fun to work with. We've owned Apple computers since 1994 and are currently on our 3rd. Microsoft has been trying to play catch-up since 1984. Windows is a knock-off of the Apple OS, but Apple still does it way better. JMHO.

[filifefc]

i just got it, and agree, it's a waste of money

[project15]

I just bought a 4GB sansa player for $40...at that price, it's already much better than any ipod.

[Caoineag]

I refused to buy the ipods because they were way more expensive (at that time), only compatible with one electronic format and very fragile (I am impressed yours lasted 2 years, my coworker has yet to exceed warranty because Apple has to keep replacing it for her, she's on number 4).

Given that my husband and I are klutzes, we have done pretty good with the creative brand ones. I still manage to go through one per year but you know, that's what happens when you bounce electronics off of cement 14+ times. Oh and that didn't actually make them unusable, it just usually made something awkward. If you treat yours better, you shouldn't have an issue. And randomly unplugging them doesn't result in any software or hardware issues.

[Hypersion]

If you bought the item with a credit card that should have doubled the warranty to two years.

[jasanderson]

My mom actually bought it and used her debit card. She is checking with her bank to see if her debit card which has the visa logo will offer an extended warranty - does anyone know how that works?

I have actually taken exceptional care of my ipod. It looks brand new. I have had it in a protective leather case since the day I bought it, bought the stick on screen protectors and everything.

What's the most irritating is I have always used the ejection on the USB port but the two times one of my kids hit the cord and pulled it out of the computer I have had 2 serious issues. Not happy.

I plugged it back in again last night to see if it would somehow charge as I was spending 2 hours surfing the internet and now it makes a very loud buzz/humm/clicking sound. I think the guy at apple was right about the electronic being messed up but what is super scary about that is it took him 10 seconds to come to the conclusion. Obviously this is a very known issue as well or they wouldn't have so many refurbed ones.

[veronak]

I think that when one buy an iPod you are simply paying for the name, there are other mp3 players that play FM radio in which ipod deos not

[Hypersion]

I did it with a mastercards. Just follow the instructions, it's fairly easy.

Visa USA | Personal | Warranty Manager Service

[jasanderson]

I did it with a mastercards. Just follow the instructions, it's fairly easy.

Visa USA | Personal | Warranty Manager Service

Thanks so much! I will have her check this out.

I just had another tought today as I have posted on the apple page and they deleted me Must not like what I have to say. People keep telling me that 2 years is a pretty good deal this lasted. I disagree - My cell phone is almost 2 years old, has been turned on 97% of the time, seen 1000% more use and it is still going strong. I find this an excuse. Whatever happened to quality? I know we are a society who keeps buying new whether things go bad or not but isn't it crazy that we have just learned to accept products that don't perform and we pay a fortune for? If this were a $60,000 vehicle and the motor blew up in less than 2 years do you seriously think you would feel the same way???????/

[sounderella]

My early Christmas gift this year was the Samsung Nexus. I got this after my MiFi bit the dust after 2 years.....apparently those things got too hot. Anyways, I absolutely love it! It's just your basic mp3 player but when used in the car/home cradle it is also capable of receving xm radio. It is about the size of a motorolla razor.....skinny and small. What I love about it is that I listen to it on the way home from work (has an built in FM modulator) and once I get home and it's time to do exercise, all I have to do is pop it out of the cradle and pop in my headphones and go. Great price too, I found it brand new on Ebay for $69 and it included everything including the car kit and the home kit. I will tell you though, in the directions they are pretty clear about safely disconnecting the USB from the computer. I haven't had any problems though.

I do agree in the fact that the IPod is totally overrated. I've looked at them, but for the price, I just wasn't interested....but then again I'm a woman with simple wants and I just happend to find something that did everything I needed without all the bells.

[jasanderson]

wow! I'll check it out. I am boycotting overpriced, underquality Apple (I hope you idiots are listening at Apple) and definately not getting another one. I like the idea of an FM radio.

[tabbycat31]

Thanks so much! I will have her check this out.

I just had another tought today as I have posted on the apple page and they deleted me Must not like what I have to say. People keep telling me that 2 years is a pretty good deal this lasted. I disagree - My cell phone is almost 2 years old, has been turned on 97% of the time, seen 1000% more use and it is still going strong. I find this an excuse. Whatever happened to quality? I know we are a society who keeps buying new whether things go bad or not but isn't it crazy that we have just learned to accept products that don't perform and we pay a fortune for? If this were a $60,000 vehicle and the motor blew up in less than 2 years do you seriously think you would feel the same way???????/

the 60K vehicle that dosent last more than a few years will be marketed as "lease for $X per month for 24 months"

[Broken Arrow]

For what it's worth, I've always found Apple's products to be of exceptional build quality (in general).

The thing is, their design philosophy is the real "culprit" so to speak, for it is both the strength and weakness of their products. Specifically, I refer to the fact that, for the sake of both simplicity, ease of use, and possibly most importantly, to build the slimmest, slickest device possible, they've opted to have a battery that is integrated into their devices rather than designed to be removeable, which would also add bulk.

The weakness in such a design decision is, obviously, when the battery capacity is reduced, it's very costly to replace it.

To be honest, I think they made the right business decision (and the sales figure reflects it). You see, they've in effect produced the sexiest product possible, while at the same time, also made it "disposable" with a limited shelf life! Once that battery limit is reached, many consumers will feel compelled to buy the "newer, shinier" model rather than have it fixed! I guess you could call it Apple's high end version of the Walmart Effect.

Naturally, I wouldn't recommend Apple's products if you're looking for a practical product with lasting value. For that, you'll want something that at least uses easily replaceable batteries. It would also help to keep your music in a non-DRMed format... such as MP3 or OGG.